Asia-Pacific

Singapore welcomes Obama's decision on Afghanistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-02 22:13

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday the country welcomes the United States' continued commitment in Afghanistan.

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US President Barack Obama unveiled his new Afghanistan strategy Tuesday night, saying he will deploy another 30,000 soldiers to the war-weary country, mainly in the first half of 2010.  

"This is a positive and pragmatic way forward. Singapore continues to support the multinational stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan," the ministry said in a statement, adding that a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Weapon Locating Radar and a medical team are now deployed in Oruzgan province and an engineering team in Bamiyan province in support of these efforts.

The ministry said that Singapore has also offered to deploy a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle detachment if these are useful to the multinational efforts. Singapore has also been offering a variety of training programs for Afghan officials, including healthcare, anti-narcotics control, and water and waste management.